The Best Tennis Documentaries to Add to Your Watch List
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You don't have to be a sports fan to find value in tennis documentaries. The true-life tennis movies show the glory and anguish that come with extreme dedication toward a goal, a fascinating subject whether you're a tennis fanatic or you're still not quite sure how tennis scoring works. And while documentaries in general get a bad rap for being dry, sports documentaries are typically more interesting than most, if only due to the built-in suspense — the euphoric wins, devastating losses, and suspenseful climbs to (hopeful) victory.
There are plenty of tennis documentaries on Netflix and other streaming platforms; filmmakers have pulled back the curtain on many of the most successful tennis stars. And while sports documentaries don't always focus on women athletes, there are several tennis documentaries that highlight the best of the women players, from Billie Jean King to Serena and Venus Williams.
To save you the effort of skimming movie reviews, we've rounded up the greatest tennis documentaries of all time. Here are the 10 films that belong on your to-watch list.
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"Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker"
Film critics have established that this movie is a solid film in general, not just a standout among tennis documentaries. The two-part series follows the rise and fall of German tennis player Boris Becker as he makes history in tennis, goes through multiple divorces, and serves prison time after being convicted of tax evasion.
Watch "Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker" on Apple TV+.
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"McEnroe"
"McEnroe" features footage of some of American tennis legend John McEnroe's biggest matches and interviews during which he reflects on his experiences. McEnroe discusses his tendency to lose his cool during matches and where he thinks it stemmed from, and the mental health effects of competing as an elite athlete.
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"Venus and Serena"
"Venus and Serena" recounts how Venus and Serena Williams rose to the top from when they first took up tennis under their dad's coaching. However, most of the footage for the documentary takes place in 2011, when both sisters faced health problems and other struggles. The movie features interviews of Anna Wintour, Bill Clinton, McEnroe, and other familiar faces.
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"Break Point"
This Netflix docuseries from the team behind "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" gives a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of some of the rising stars in tennis. Season one of the Netflix tennis documentary features names like Frances Tiafoe and Ajla Tomljanović, and the likes of Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz make appearances in season two.
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"Untold: Breaking Point"
This movie is part of Netflix's "Untold" series of documentaries from the creators of "Wild Wild Country." Each film focuses on a controversial event in sports, like Jake Paul's foray into boxing or the BALCO steroid scandal. "Untold: Breaking Point" focuses on Mardy Fish, who was ranked as the No. 1 American tennis player but left the sport and disappeared from public view due to severe anxiety.
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"Andy Murray: Resurfacing"
This movie centers around British tennis star Andy Murray, who was the No. 1 men's singles player in the world. The movie takes place from 2017 to 2019, when he contended with multiple injuries that could've ended his career. If you're inspired by stories of top-performing athletes who show unwavering grit, give this one a watch.
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"Althea"
While there are plenty of living legends in the world of tennis, you don't want to sleep on the story of Althea Gibson, who dominated the sport in the 1950s. The American tennis player was the first Black person to win a Grand Slam event (she claimed five Grand Slam singles titles and another six as a doubles partner). This documentary recounts Gibson's rise at a time when tennis was segregated in the US.
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"American Masters: Billie Jean King"
If "Battle of the Sexes" left you wanting to learn more about the life of Billie Jean King, you should give this documentary a watch. It's an installment in PBS's "American Masters" series, which focuses on influential figures who shaped the history of the US. In "American Masters: Billie Jean King," you'll hear from figures like Gloria Steinem, Venus and Serena Williams, and King herself.
Rent or buy "American Masters: Billie Jean King" on Prime Video.
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"Love Means Zero"
Instead of a tennis player, this documentary focuses on coach Nick Bollettieri, who trained the likes of Andre Agassi and the Williams sisters. The movie highlights Bollettieri's intense practices, with interviews from his past clients and unapologetic commentary from Bollettieri himself interspersed throughout.
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"Strokes of Genius"
"Strokes of Genius" focuses on the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal through their famed title match at Wimbledon in 2008. Throughout their 13-year rivalry, the Swiss and Spanish athletes faced off 40 times as two of the top-ranking men in tennis. The movie gives a peek into both athletes' upbringings.
Watch "Strokes of Genius" on Apple TV.
Renee Cherry is a writer and editor who specializes in beauty and wellness. Her writing has appeared in POPSUGAR, Women's Health, Glamour, Mindbodygreen, and Well+Good, among other publications.